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Interview
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Throughout his illustrious career, The RZA, has
always prided himself in discovering and working
with some of the best artists in the hip hop game.
One listen to the astounding RZA Presents Northstar
and it's perfectly clear why the Wu-Tang Clan
mastermind gave the Long Beach-based duo of Christ
Bearer and Meko a much coveted spot in the Wu
family Tree. Without question, Northstar's debut ranks
among the most promising West Coast releases to
emerge in years alongside that of their peers and
family member the Black Knights who were once collectively known
as the Black Knights of the Northstar.
From
the start, Black Knight and Northstar's decidedly East Coast lyrical
outlook always perplexed some people on the West
Coast even though The RZA discovered the group's
talent back in 1998 during a chance encounter
outside of The Beat (a Los Angeles radio station). "RZA
is the father to us in the game," explains Christ
Bearer, whose light, animated voice provides the
perfect balance to Meko's powerful, husky tone. "He
gave birth to Northstar when other people in the
West Coast really didn't take on to us. The RZA was
the one that really took us on. He gave birth to us
and now we've got a career by the grace of Allah."
"While I was growing up I always catered to the East
Coast artists but I also loved Boyz-N-The Hood and
that classic West Coast sound of Eazy-E, Toddy Tee,
King T," Christ Bearer explains. "At the same time,
I catered to East Coast brothers all through life
even through 2Pac and Biggie beefed. We always gave
respect to the fathers of the music who created it
and where it came from. At the same time, we both
come from Long Beach so it's like we really want to
rep the hood."
Northstar's name itself represents its hood and much
more. "North" signifies their roots on the North
Side of Long Beach, while "Star" reflects the word's
significance throughout black history. "We want to
let people know that you're a star when you
determine you're a star," Christ Bearer says.
"That's what we bring to the game."
After discovering Northstar in L.A., RZA continued
to be drawn to the duo because of their musical
abilities and their deep sense of self. Northstar
was then featured on a number of Wu-Tang projects,
including both the Wu-Tang Killa Bees albums The
Swarm Volume 1 and The Sting, the soundtrack for
2000's Ghost Dog: The Way Of The Samurai and Popa
Wu's album, Visions Of The Tenth Chamber. After
years of preparing for their first album the group
finally dropped their self titled debut album "Booby
Digital
Presents...." in 2004. The group excelled
on this project and showed everyone why the album
was worth the wait with contributions from Armand
Van Helden, Killarmy, RZA, Black Knight's Doc Doom
and more. Instead of keeping the fans waiting that
long for another album, the group followed up with
another album "Underground
Shit" which was independently released. The
sales and demand for the album was overwhelming and
it sold out quick despite the fact it was not
commercially promoted or distributed. This prompted
Chambermusik records to pick it and re-release it
again commercially as "Westcoast
Killa Beez....". The group dropped an online
only album in 2008 entitled "For
Every Will There Is A Way" in digital format.
Christ
Bearer has been the most active member having
released a solo EP album produced entirely by West
Coast veteran Skarekrow and has gone on to feature
on almost every Wu related projects from Afro
Samurai soundtrack to Bobby Digital's Digi Snacks
album and most recently the Wu Killa Beez
compilation "The
Swarm 3: Pollen". can been also be heard
on
Afro Samuari II, the last
Bobby
Digital "Digi Snacks" album.
This
interview was conducted sometime in late 2009 in
preparation for the West Coast Killa Beez series
Wu-International had planned and on this interview
Christ Bearer kept mentioning his new group Yellow
Jackets which was something foreign and new to us,
until this year with the release of the Killa Beez
compilation;
The Swarm Part 3: Pollen project. While one big
family, the West Coast Killa Bee Gang is under the
canopy of two main groups and foundation, Black
Knights and Northstar, and the new additions have
either come in through Black Knights (Dexter Wiggle,
Indovizualz, Eternal, Committee etc) or Northstar
(Yellow Jackets, 71Raw etc).
So who
are the Yellow Jackets, Why was Christ Bearer
screaming out the group's name on almost every
sentence? what is the future of Northstar? Where is
Meko? find out this and more on the third instalment
of the West Coast Killa Beez series. This being the
first part of the Yellow Jacket's interview and the
second part will be published with more insight to
the formation and structure of the latest addition
of the Westcoast Killa Beez headlined by Christ
Bearer, Meko and Armel.
Enjoy!!! |
I like to say thanks first and foremost for
taking the time to answer these questions, highly
appreciated, and will also point out that nothing will be
altered, edited or changed when this is published online.
Wu-International: Peace Christbearer, how are you?
Christbearer: The greatest of all times! Yellow
Jackets!
Wu-International: Whose idea was it to rerelease
Underground shit/Westcoast Killa Beez album that came out
via Chambermusik in 2008?
Christbearer: It was Chambermusik's idea, as well as
the phenomenal response from the fans from the sold out
first pressing.
Wu-International: Chambermusik has helped a number of
Wu affiliated artist to put out albums and projects that
otherwise would never be heard by fans, or heavily
bootlegged, do you think CM is looking out for the artists
best interest or taking advantage as well?
Christbearer: Definitely the artists best interest.
Yellow Jackets!
Wu-International: Personally I think CM has been
instrumental with the constant growth of Wu artists and
affiliates, so it was a surprise to hear there were some
form of misapprehension with possibly The RZA, Divine or
Wu-Music Group with the release of Westcoast Killa Beez,
where you aware of this and what do you have to say in
regards to this?
Christbearer: Yellow Jacket's Rule.
Wu-International: Ok, that response don't really say
much, So is the Northstar signed under Wu Music Group?
Christbearer: You could say Wu Music Group fo sho sho,
yet Yellow Jackets Rule.
Wu-International: What is the main differences
between you and Meko as far as the type of music you both
make goes?
Christbearer: None.
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Wu-International: Let's talk about D The Dragon, is
he an official member of Northstar?
Christbearer: Yes, he is an affiliate.
Wu-International: We are asking if he is the official
3rd member of Northstar along side you and Meko or extended
member to the overall family tree?
Christbearer: Northstar is just Meko and me, D is a
Yellow Jacket affiliate.
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Wu-International: Seems Christbearer is more of an
active member of Northstar than Meko currently is, why is
that so?
Christbearer: Don't get it twisted homie, The unseen
controls the scene. Meko is still active, we both live far
away but he is also a member of the Yellow Jackets.
Wu-International:
Well, Meko's absence is
quite visible on features such as Afro Samurai and also on
your latest album "For Every Will There Is A Way" how was
this project recorded and put together?
Christbearer:
Throughout the years, most of the vocals have been recorded
throughout the years so we just put out what we had already.
Wu-International:
Any reason as to why it was released only as a download?
Christbearer: I have faith that it will do well
regardless of what format it was released.
Wu-International: Do you plan on a physical release
of this album.
Christbearer: Sometime soon, watch out for Yellow
Jackets first.
Wu-International: Can you please tell us more about
the title "Every Will There is a way" was there something
you were trying to accomplish with this album?
Christbearer: Wait until Yellow Jackets to see why.
Wu-International: Good seeing Black Knights featured
on there, who were the other guests on this project as well
as producers?
Christbearer: Scobra, P Dot, I Loc, All Skills, Irie,
Ramona, Yellow Jackets etc.
Wu-International: Feedback from fans about this
project was that it seems rushed and unfocused, anything to
say to that?
Christbearer: Yellow Jackets
Wu-International: Ok, What's happening with the album
"Northern Light"
Christbearer: Coming soon, right after Yellow
Jackets.
Wu-International: So are any of Northstar members
currently working on anything else that's new, group or
solo?
Christbearer: Yes, glad you asked! The Yellow Jacket
is movement i have been yelling out and that's what's going on right now, it consists of 13 mcs, producers, artists, etc with females members also. It's
the new new Wu-Tang, yet it is Wu next generation. Yellow
Jackets!
Wu-International: Will there be a follow up or full
length to the Christbearer & Skarekrow collaboration EP?
Christbearer: No, working on Yellow Jackets.
Wu-International: You have introduced a number of
group into the game from 71Raw to some of the new
westcoast Killa Beez members, you are still at a
very young age to be seen as still up and coming and
you have protégés as well, how do you view yourself
in this aspect?
Christbearer: Blessed.
Wu-International: Your last album has a more west
coast feel than your previous albums which had been mostly
west coast but some fusion of your typical Eastcoast sound,
any reason why?
Christbearer:
Northstar is universal but we always keep it West Coast.
Wu-International:
There is a new wave of MCs coming out through you, RZA and
Black Knights that claim this Westcoast Killa Beez, can you
please give us a your own list of those you consider Killa
Beez via you, RZa or Knights?
Christbearer:
Black Knights, 71Raw, Individuals, the Committee,
Holocaust, Northstar, and of course Yellow Jackets.
Wu-International:
We asked The Knights same question, but can you still tell
us what it takes for someone to be down with the Westcoast
Killa Beez?
Christbearer: Simple, approval from Black Knights and
Northstar and blessing from The RZA.
Wu-International:
Seems they are few women involved in this collective, any
reason why? and whats good with Madam Scheez?
Christbearer:
Maddam Scheez is good, as far as females, we got females in
the Yellow Jackets -- Agent 99 and Lola Divine for starters.
Monk and Crisis also have some women down with the team.
Wu-International:
It's been a while since fans saw collaboration that
involved Northstar, Black Knights and Warcloud as seen on
The Swarm and Sting compilations, do you think there would
ever be a compilation, songs or a project involving everyone
of you together again?
Christbearer:
Hell yes! Yellow Jackets for starters will involve all my
comrades.
Wu-International:
We asked Black Knights about the song floating around called
"Floyd Part 3" that involves you, Black Knight, Dexter
Wiggle and Warcloud, what is this song about, and how did it
come about?
Christbearer: Song was initially about action and consequence.
Floyd part 3 was about a character that lived recklessly and ended up
recklessly. My verse on there was about Floyd's abusive use
of drugs, and song came about from Shaka Amazulu connecting
the dots, Yellow jacket way.
Wu-International:
Any chance of hearing that song?
Christbearer:
You would have to contact Shaka for that.
Wu-International:
Thanks, where were you when you found out about Doc Doom's
passing and how would you say it has affected you?
Christbearer: I was home, and it taught me a lot
about the power of choice. R.I.P. Doc Doom.
Wu-International:
Any of you planning on recording a tribute song for Doc?
Christbearer:
Yes sometime in the
future, that Floyd song ended up being a Doc Doom tribute.
Wu-International:
You make references to masons, Islam, 5% ideologies and
more, are you religious or what sect do you subscribe to?
Christbearer: Hell no! I think religion is the mental
graveyard of America's society.
Wu-International:
How do you think you have evolved as an artist?
Christbearer:
Spiritually.
Wu-International:
If you were to write a manifesto, what would the first
line be to describe your platform?
Christbearer:
God is Man and Man is
God. Yellow Jackets
Wu-International:
Obama became the first black president in America this
year, did you vote for him? How do you feel about him
winning and what changes do you expect to happen or take
place?
Christbearer:
Yes, I voted for him and feel great about it. The change of
black mental inferiority stereotypes has already taken
place. Yellow Jackets.
Wu-International:
We wanted to know more about Northstar but it seems
Yellow Jacket is your current project, can you please tell
us more about Yellow Jackets?
Christbearer:
Yellow Jackets consist
of 13 MCs, 7 female MCs called the Pink Jackets, and it
includes Armel the Great from Ancient Coins, Meko (Northstar),
and Christ Bearer for Christ's sake.
Wu-International:
You are active online, why do you log on to chat with
fans knowing fully well some of them might be abusive and
disrespectful to you?
Christbearer:
Cause I'm a fan and then
an artist.
Wu-International:
What is your take on the marriage between the internet
and hip-hop?
Christbearer:
Mass distribution
available instantaneously. Yellow Jackets way.
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Wu-International:
Thanks, anything else you want to say, words for
the fans?
Christbearer:
Shouts to Wu-International, my westcoast killa bee gang, The
RZA, Yellow Jackets all the way through. For the fans, "O
Lord, thou grivets us everything, at the price of an effort."
- Da Vinci" |
Thanks, We will follow
this through with a full Yellow Jacket Interview to run with
this series.
Related Interviews: West Coast Killa Beez Series
#1
[Black Knights] -
Knights Or Nuthin'
[All Skillz No Luck] Interview
#2 [Doc Doom] -
Knights Or
Nuthin' Part II [Tribute Week]
#3 [Northstar] -
Christ Bearer's Yellow Jackets I Interview
#4 [Indovizualz] -
Do It Movin', Keep
It Movin' Interview
#5 [Dexter Wiggle] -
The Official Entrance To The
Chambers Of Dexter Wiggle Interview
#6 [Stone Mecca] -
Meccanism Interview
#7 [The Committee] -
Homicidal Committee Interview
#8 [Eternal] -
The Dark Knight Interview
#9 [Big Supa] -
The Long Beach Pusha Interview
#10 [Yellow Jackets] - Wu-Tang's Yellow Jackets
Interview II
#11 [Christ Bearer] -
Setting The Record Straight (Yellow Jackets
Interview III)
#12 [Holocaust] -
Channel Warcloud
[Tribute Week]
<Read Other Interviews> |
